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Left Bank Pictures
Type Private limited
Founded July 2007
Founder(s) Andy Harries
Francis Hopkinson
Marigo Kehoe
Headquarters London, England
Key people Andy Harries
Francis Hopkinson
Marigo Kehoe
Suzanne Mackie
Industry Film and television production

Left Bank Pictures is an English film and television production company. It was formed in 2007 by Andy Harries, formerly controller of drama, comedy and film at Granada Productions, and Francis Hopkinson and Marigo Kehoe. The company is the first British media company to receive investment from BBC Worldwide, the commercial venture of the BBC; BBC Worldwide took a 25% stake, worth £1 million, in Left Bank in exchange for first-look distribution rights on all television productions. The company operates both television and film production departments. Key personnel are managing director Marigo Kehoe, formerly head of production in Harries' drama department at Granada, Francis Hopkinson, formerly senior commissioning editor of drama at Channel 4, and Suzanne Mackie, formerly director of development at Harbour Pictures.

Left Bank Pictures' productions include the television series Wallander and the film The Damned United.

Contents

Key personnel

  • Andy Harries, chief executive.
  • Marigo Kehoe, managing director.
  • Francis Hopkinson, executive producer.
  • Suzanne Mackie, head of film.

History

Left Bank founders Marigo Kehoe (centre) and Andy Harries (right) with Wallander star Kenneth Branagh (left) in July 2009

Left Bank Pictures was founded in 2007 by Andy Harries, formerly controller of drama, comedy and film at Granada Productions, Francis Hopkinson and Marigo Kehoe. The company is the first British media company to receive investment from BBC Worldwide, the commercial venture of the BBC; BBC Worldwide took a 25% stake, worth £1 million, in Left Bank in exchange for first-look distribution rights on all television productions.[1] There was some concern from some commentators of a conflict of interest for the publicly-funded BBC; in The Guardian, Steve Hewlett wrote that the deal was a "back-door way of getting around the rules preventing the BBC producing programmes for its British rivals". Hewlett also commented that the investment might limit Left Bank's future prospects, as it was "tied to" the BBC.[2] Harries defended the investment, later stating that both Martin Sorrell and Richard Branson had been approached to invest in the company but both wanted a complete acquisition rather than just a share.[3] Harries also approached Jon Feltheimer at Lionsgate.[1]

In January 2008, Left Bank took a 15% stake in struggling production company Hardy & Sons, with a view to relaunching it as a drama and documentary production unit with BBC Worldwide.[4] Left Bank Pictures had a turnover of £5.5 million its first year, with at least £20 million predicted for the second.[1]

In December 2008, Left Bank Pictures was one of many independent production companies to receive the production vision award from the UK Film Council.[5] The award part-funded Left Bank's film development slate. In February 2009, Suzanne Mackie, formerly head of development at Harbour Pictures, joined the company as head of film.[6]

Productions

Television

In development

Film

In development

References

  1. ^ a b c Harries, Andy (October 2008). "Memorandum submitted by Left Bank Pictures". Parliament of the United Kingdom. http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmselect/cmcumeds/memo/bbc/uc1402.htm. Retrieved 27 November 2008.  
  2. ^ Hewlett, Steve (14 May 2007). "Media FAQ". The Guardian (Guardian News and Media): p. 3 (MediaGuardian supplement). http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2007/may/14/mondaymediasection3.  
  3. ^ Armstrong, Stephen (27 October 2008). "'Making mischief is a good thing'". The Guardian (Guardian News and Media): p. 5 (MediaGuardian supplement). http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/oct/27/bbc.  
  4. ^ BBC Press Office (21 January 2008). "BBC Worldwide, Hardy & Sons and Left Bank Pictures unveil three-way venture". Press release. http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/bbcworldwide/worldwidestories/pressreleases/2008/01_january/hardy_leftbank.shtml. Retrieved 17 May 2008.  
  5. ^ Staff (11 December 2008). "Over £2 million Lottery funding awarded to UK production companies to make new British films". UK Film Council. http://www.ukfilmcouncil.org.uk/news?show=15037&page=1&step=10. Retrieved 24 March 2009.  
  6. ^ a b Clarke, Steve (25 February 2009). "Mackie moves to Left Bank". Variety (Reed Business Information). http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118000574.html?categoryid=30&cs=1.  
  7. ^ "Television Awards Nominations 2009". British Academy of Film and Television Arts. http://bafta.org/awards/television/tv-noms-2009,709,BA.html. Retrieved 24 March 2009.  
  8. ^ Reynolds, Simon (8 October 2008). "ITV commissions Deasy's 'Father & Son'". Digital Spy. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a132123/itv-commissions-deasys-father--son.html. Retrieved 24 March 2009.  
  9. ^ Parker, Robin (12 September 2008). "E4 opens School of Comedy". Broadcastnow (Emap Media). http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/commissioning/interview/2008/09/e4_opens_school_of_comedy.html. Retrieved 12 September 2008.  
  10. ^ Holmwood, Leigh (19 March 2008). "Sky ploughs £10m into HD dramas". guardian.co.uk (Guardian News and Media). http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/mar/19/bskyb.television. Retrieved 12 September 2008.  
  11. ^ McMahon, Kate (25 February 2009). "Mackie reunites the Cold Feet team for rom-com". Broadcast (Emap Media). http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/2009/02/mackie_reunites_the_cold_feet_team_for_romcom.html. Retrieved 26 February 2009.  

External links








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